Community Brag Posts

Whitney's Farmhouse Side Table

Last summer I made two of these side tables. They turned out to be adorable little night stands with baskets for storage. These were modified from Ana's Farmhouse Bedside Table plan, changing it to two large shelves and sized to fit the space. It was a very fun and quick build that cost around $40 for the pair.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Lots of Sanding
Minwax Walnut Gel Stain
2-3 coats of poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Planked wood sideboard

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 04/07/2016 - 10:45

This sideboard buffet took me several months to complete mostly because I have little kids and had to have my husband home to give me the time I needed! The hardware and paint was the most expensive piece. I first stained it with kona stain then painted it with ASCP in Provence. I still need to put the wire mesh in doors but I'm still searching for options:-) This was my first project with drawers and it was not easy!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$350
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Kona stain
Annie Sloan chalk paint in Provence
Clear wax to bottom
Polyacryllic to top
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Custom cornhole

Submitted by mandee on Sun, 12/15/2019 - 15:21

I made this custom cornhole game for my brother for Christmas. I drew the Texans logo freehand as well as the “M”.  

Estimated Cost
50
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Madison Dresser *stained*

This was my 3rd project...and quite an undertaking. My first project was the dollhouse bookshelf (plans available on this site). Second project was custom designed under bed drawers, which now house many thousands of LEGOs. And then, the dresser. It was my first time using the Kreg pocket hole joinery. Once I learned the setup it went fairly quickly, though keeping boards square and flush was challenging and not always successful. But, that's why there are sanders.

The plans are awesome!! Loved the shopping list. Walking down the wood aisle selecting and checking. Sorry, no coupons or 2-4-1 specials. Being an amateur taking on an "advanced" project I am a bit hesitant in commenting on the plans or design changes. But, I feel it necessary so please don't hate me.

* add to cut list: 4 - 2x2@31" - Dresser Side (sides). Needed in Step 3.

* Step 9: (picture) to keep the drawers from tipping while opened I added a stop above each dresser drawer slide. These were made from 1x2s cut to 4" - 5" and beveled on the front. I used a 1x2 + 1/8" - 1/4" thick scrap strip together as a spacer for the drawer drawer slides and a little bit of wiggle room.

* Step 10: (picture) add a 2x4x2 block under the bottom center support and drawer slides. This will help distribute the weight to, and add a place for,
attaching the center leg in Step 11.

* Step 11: instead of screwing the feet directly into the dresser bottom use a table leg straight plate mount.

*Step 16: I mitered the drawer trim corners so it would match the mitered corners of the decorative cap moulding.

Instead of painting I stained. This was my first staining experience. We were trying to match the color of an existing chest of drawers. Overall, I think it turned out very well. Next time I might prestain the pieces prior to assembly as there are a few spots that glue prevented good absorption. And yes, I thought I was meticulous cleaning the drips with a damp rag.

Hope you enjoy this as much as I did building it and will using it.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
* Prestain Conditioner on outward facing surfaces.
* Minwax Red Oak 215 stain, 2 coats
* Minwax Fast-Drying Polyurethane Satin, 3 coats on top, 2 coats outward facing surfaces and all surfaces of drawers. Of course, lightly sanding with 220 grit between coats.
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Comments

oldpaintdesign

Mon, 04/02/2012 - 15:26

Aww... I love it! You did an amazing job! I'll be sure to add that extra 2x2 to the cutlist... oops! I hope that you and your family love the dresser as much as I love mine!

Entertainment Center

This is from the Rebecca Media Center project. With my wife being an avid book collector and my children being avid toy collectors, we were quicking running out of space for both. Being the amazing husband and father that I am, I made this project and solved both issues. I had a wall that was 13 feet wide and thought this would be a great place for some bookcases. The plans provided were almost perfect. I only had to change the sizes by a few inches to make it fit the wall and raise to the ceiling. I also added a string of led lights across the top. These were cheap, hid well, use little power and came with a dimmer to adjust the brightness. I really like them. I think they came from hit lights for around $30.

Estimated Cost
$500-$600
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Valspar Signature
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

JoanneS

Mon, 05/25/2015 - 08:16

Hi Jason,
There are 3 plans for this media center: Side hutch piece, side base, and console piece. These are the links to the plans (also highlighted in the post above in orange -- clicking those will take you to the plan)

http://ana-white.com/2012/04/plans/rebecca-media-center-center-hutch-pi…

http://ana-white.com/2012/04/plans/rebecca-media-center-side-base

http://ana-white.com/2012/04/plans/rebecca-media-center-console-piece

To do a search, at the top of the screen under "search for something great!" if you type in "rebecca media center" it will show you all the plan posts and the brag posts.
Happy building!
Joanne

Small End Table from 2X4's

Submitted by jbknakal on Sun, 04/10/2016 - 11:55

I made a smaller version of the Tryde End Table with Shelf. I made 2 of them from 6 2X4's

Estimated Cost
$30
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Black Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Swingset with playhouse

Submitted by Handy Dad on Thu, 12/19/2019 - 14:44

I deviated quite a bit from the plans.  Mostly, I used readily available swingset hardware to beef up the design. This stuff can be found on big online sites or specialty sites. 

I bought all of the swings, and ninja rope online along with the 4ft slide and safety handles.

Estimated Cost
$1200
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Outdoor Stain/Urethane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

DIY Outdoor Living Room

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 08/26/2023 - 12:09

I wanted a bar lounge on my patio so I built it from your plans. We had a July 4th party for the my family. It was so nice.
Everyone was surprised I had done it myself.
I also made a corner table but unfortunately it doesn’t show in pictures.
Thank you! Your plans are amazingly easy.

Donna-Tennessee

Built from Plan(s)

Hailey Storage Daybed

Submitted by kelli224 on Wed, 04/04/2012 - 12:09

This is our second bed from Ana and definitely our favorite. This bed is one nice, sturdy piece of furniture. It went together easily and everything was right on. We did make a couple changes. Instead of putting two legs on the end of the bench in back, we put three - one where the center divider is and one on the dividers on each side of the center. We changed it so you wouldn't be able to see the bench legs from under the bed. It worked perfectly! Also, we added a 1x4 top trim to the back and arms instead of just stopping with the 1x3. Thank you so much for saving us hundreds of dollars!

Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Benjamin Moore Advance Snowfall White in Satin
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Modified Michaela's kitchen island

Submitted by jodib77 on Sun, 01/19/2014 - 17:32

The top was made with reclaimed wood and we used pine for the base. We decided to go for a "chunky look" so we used 2x4's for the sides and skirt. We used 1x3's for the shelf slats and also spaced them to give it an airy feel. We had to customize the size due to the limited space in the kitchen. This was finished with an antique white paint for the base, mahogony stain for the top and finished with a water based poly for durability,

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax red mahogony for the top and antique white in satin for the base. Finished with a waterbased polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Media cabinet

Submitted by Milhouse on Sat, 04/07/2012 - 22:46

I needed a tv stand that wasn't ugly. This was one of my first projects, and I learned a lot from it. It's not perfect (the drawers don't work well), but it looks nice :)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
~ $100
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
I painted it BM Revere Pewter (flat) and applied a satin poly top coat.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

spiceylg

Sun, 04/08/2012 - 03:55

Came out beautiful and I love the paint color. My goodness did you build all of these projects at once or just post them at once?

Guest (not verified)

Sun, 04/08/2012 - 22:29

I love this table! By any chance do you know the name of the paint color on the walls behind it? I have been looking for the perfect color for my living room and LOVE that color :) thanks and good work!

Rustic x console

I modified ana white's plans to build a smaller x console.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Dark walnut stain by minwax with an oil base varathane finish
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Vegetable Bin

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 04/15/2016 - 11:03

Vegetable bin chalk painted and hand distressed.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Full-size Farmhouse Bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 12/28/2019 - 17:08

Such a great sturdy bed! Daughter loves it.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
208.00 for wood
Finish Used
We primed and painted with BM Alabaster. I then sanded edges and grooves and applied Matte Poly.

Outdoor Day Bed with Canopy

Submitted by hawaiitara on Mon, 04/09/2012 - 15:22

We needed a daybed for our lanai and when I saw these plans I knew it was perfect. We built the bed in a day and then painted later when we had time. It is just the place for taking a nap and because it is on a covered lanai, weatherproofing was not an issue.

We followed the instructions and it was very easy to complete! Thanks Ana!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
I used heirloom white to paint it, followed by sparsely painting over it with turquoise so it would look beachy. I attached sea stars to the top corners. I used valspar paint in innocent turquoise I think.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Converted A ashley twin size bed into Twin size Crib

Submitted by Mamabear2 on Thu, 01/23/2014 - 09:53

I purchased a twin girls captins bed for my daughter to grow into but she wasn't quite big enough for it yet so I had my husband convert it into a twin size crib!!!! Im in love with how it turned out. My husband Free hand a crown on a sheet of ply wood and cut it out. I used quilt batting and covered it with pink material and did the tips of crown in purple.

Estimated Cost
80.00
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project
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